Spanning-tree based loop detection for an ethernet fabric switch

Abstract

One embodiment of the present invention provides a switch. The switch includes a local database, a packet processor, a data management module, and a tree construction module. The packet processor extracts spanning tree information associated with a remote switch. The data management module stores the extracted spanning tree information in the local database. The tree construction module assigns an interface state associated with a spanning tree to a local interface based on the extracted spanning tree information.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61 / 502,115, Attorney Docket Number BRCD-3106.0.1.US.PSP, titled “Spanning Tree Based Loop Detection over Ethernet Fabrics / VCS Networks,” by inventors Jerry Lei, Ning Song, Venky Venkatesh, Mythilikanth Raman, and Ram Singh, filed 28 Jun. 2011, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.[0002]The present disclosure is related to U.S. Patent Application No. 13 / 087,239, (Attorney Docket Number BRCD-3008.1.US.NP), titled “Virtual Cluster Switching,” by inventors Suresh Vobbilisetty and Dilip Chatwani, filed 14 Apr. 2011, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.BACKGROUND[0003]1. Field[0004]The present disclosure relates to network management. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a method and system for efficiently detecting a loop in a layer-2 fabric switch.[0005]2. Related Art[0006]The exponential growth of the Internet has made it a pop...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

This patent describes a switch that can extract information from a remote switch to create a local database. This information is then used to assign interface states to the local switch. The switch can also update this information when there are changes in the remote switch. The switch can determine if there is a difference between a local database and the updated information and create a frame to indicate the difference. The switch can also identify the interface based on its unique identifier and create per-VLAN or per-interface state. The switch can extract frames that are encapsulated in a TRILL header. Overall, this technology allows for better management and synchronization of spanning trees across switches in a network.

Problems solved by technology

However, the size of a switch cannot grow infinitely.

It is limited by physical space, power consumption, and design complexity, to name a few factors.

Furthermore, switches with higher capability are usually more complex and expensive.

More importantly, because an overly large and complex system often does not provide economy of scale, simply increasing the size and capability of a switch may prove economically unviable due to the increased per-port cost.

The amount of required manual configuration and topological limitations for switch stacking becomes prohibitively tedious when the stack reaches a certain size, which precludes switch stacking from being a practical option in building a large-scale switching system.

While fabric switches brings many desirable features to layer-2 networks, some issues remain unsolved in loop detection.

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